2017: Sri Lanka warned to expect worst drought disaster in four decades

Sri Lanka is preparing to face the worst drought in years. Lack of adequate rain has opened the doors for a potential disaster in several areas, particularly in the Dry Zone. Meteorologists have warned that the country may face a severe drought in 2017.

A drought could have a serious impact on the country’s electricity generation, agriculture and other areas. At present, the water levels of all main reservoirs of the country have declined by 27%. Sri Lanka’s rice crop in the main cultivation season is already expected to be sharply down with only about 30 percent of arable area cultivated. Although around 850,000 hectares of paddy fields are cultivated during the Maha season (the current farming season October-March) it has now dropped to a staggering 280,000 hectares. The Department of Irrigation has stopped issuing water for cultivation as drinking water has taken priority. Accordingly the current water levels would be enough for the crops up until February 2017. The drought could get acute from January to March, until rain comes in April.

(Source: Excerpts from Sri Lankan newspapers)



Aljazeera reports on the drought from the District of Kalutara: